Obituary for Elihu N Hall, Hardin County, Illinois Elihu N. Hall, the eldest son of one of our old pioneer families was born on a farm in the northeastern part of the county December 8th. 1870. He was married to the sweetheart of his boyhood, Ota Jane Brownfield, June 10th. 1894 and this long happy union of over 62 years was only ended by her death on November 21st. 1956. He became afflicted with that incurable malady, arthritis, the great crippler, some ten years ago and was an afflicted and bed-ridden patient until his Master, whom he had served so long and faithfully said it was enough and on October 23rd. 1957 the long ordeal ended and he became but a memory at the age of 86 years 10 months and 15 days. He and his faithful companion were blessed with four children; Willliam P. Hall, Mrs. Geneva Grater, Mrs. Golda Hess and Mrs. Galena Knight, all of this county and all of whom survive the parents. He early displayed his reverence for the spiritual side of life by becoming a minster of the Gospel at the age of 15 years, an activity which he was to maintain as long as his physical condidion would permit. His consuming desire for knowledge was evident by his becoming a teacher in our common schools at the age of 18 years, the minimum age at which a liscense to teach could be granted. He continued his studies at Oakland City, College, Oakland City, Ind. and received his degree from that institution in 1898, but continued post-graduate work for all of the years thereafter in other noted schools. He always took an active and consuming interest in the civic, spiritual and educational welfare of the county, was owner and editor of the Hardin County Independent for several years, served the county as superintendent of schools for three of four year terms and was county judge for one term, in each which capacities, he was a popular and respected official. During this time, he was the author of a short history of the county which is both interesting and instructive and is still considered as an authority on many of the events of the early history of the county. After his physical infirmities limited his activities, he was the author of another volume "The Ballads of the Bluffs" depleting the life, activities and hardships of the pioneers of the county which he loved and in which his own immediate ancestors played a part. As was said of the patriarch of old: "He served his day and generation and was gathered unto his fathers and he would ask nothing more." Written by E. F. Wall Taken from the Hardin County Independent 19 Dec 1957 Vol 89 #2 ------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Wanda Patton Reed